On this date in 1969, 1776 opened at the 46st Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers). The show, which portrayed the final weeks of debate leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, went on to win the 1969 Tony Award as Best Musical.

It ran 1,217 performances.

When was filmed in 1972, it was one of the rare movie adaptations that employed most of the original Broadway cast. Here are original cast members Ken Howard (Thomas Jefferson), Howie Da Silva (Benjamin Franklin) and William Daniels (John Adams) performing “The Egg” from the film.